Residents would see continued investment in frontline services, with no cuts to services, under Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s draft budget for next year.

The proposals would protect the everyday services people rely on, from maintaining parks and open spaces to support for vulnerable residents, while putting money into improvements including better allotments and more recycling facilities.

Residents, businesses, community groups and voluntary organisations are now being invited to have their say on the proposals, after the borough council’s decision-making Cabinet agreed to launch a public consultation last night (Tuesday 10 November).

The draft budget for April 2027 to March 2028 includes an additional environmental enforcement officer to tackle fly-tipping and similar offences. Two new officers would also help make sure developments are built in line with approved plans. 

Other proposals include investing in improving council-owned allotments, installing more mixed-plastic recycling banks across the borough, more support for Armed Forces veterans and military families and paying for repairs to the war memorial in Basingstoke town centre.

Major projects and priorities would continue to be funded, including the proposed new water and leisure complex at Basingstoke Leisure Park, help for rough sleepers and vulnerable residents and action to encourage nature and tackle climate change. 

To cover the rising cost of services and investment in facilities, the council is proposing an increase in its share of council tax equivalent to around 10p a week for the average Band D household.

There would also be changes to some fees and charges, including extending parking charges to most bank holidays, upping planning application fees for developers and raising most other charges by an average of three per cent to help cover rising costs.

Co-Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Property Cllr Gavin James said: "We’re in a better position than many other councils thanks to our careful financial management and a commercial property portfolio that brings in almost twice as much money as council tax, helping us keep council tax lower than it would otherwise need to be.

"But like families, businesses and other councils across the country, we’re facing rising costs too. Simply providing the same services we do today is expected to cost hundreds of thousands of pounds more next year.

"People rightly expect us to make the most of the money we have. We’ll continue finding better and more efficient ways of working, though a modest increase in our share of council tax is also needed to help protect services and keep investing in the borough.

"Our draft budget for next year aims to strike the right balance between protecting valued services, making improvements where they are needed, investing in making the borough an even better place to live and recognising the financial pressures people are facing.

"No decisions have been made yet. We want to hear what residents, businesses and community organisations think before councillors decide the final budget in February."

The consultation is open until 11.59pm on Sunday 3 January 2027.

Comments received during the consultation will be reviewed before final budget proposals are presented to councillors for a decision in February 2027.

People can find out more and take part in the consultation at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/budget2027